Improving Police Hiring Process Using Behavioral Science

OVERVIEW

The i-team is using innovative, data-driven strategies bolstered by behavioral science expertise to modify popular perceptions of careers in policing and increase interest in joining the LAPD. The i-team is also using behavioral science strategy to nudge candidates already in the recruiting and hiring process to move at a faster pace so that they may complete their applications and steps more quickly.

WHAT IS THE PROBLEM WE’RE TRYING TO SOLVE?

Like many public sector agencies around the United States, more than 40% of the police workforce will become eligible to retire within the next decades. This, paired with the persistent challenge of hiring sworn officers, has made it very difficult for police agencies like the LAPD to recruit candidates who want and are qualified to join the LAPD.

WHAT IS THE INITIATIVE?

The i-team has implemented a variety of A/B tests that are enabling ongoing, rapid testing of different process changes. When a process change yields better outcomes than the control, the team works with the City to implement the change. To date, the team has implemented several key changes in LAPD’s recruiting and hiring including adjustments to marketing and advertising messaging, forms and notices, and website content and collateral.